US6926720B2 - Jig assembly for implantation of a fracture fixation device - Google Patents

Abstract

A jig assembly includes a jig having an elevated first portion having holes or slots to align a drill with screw holes in an intramedullary portion of a fixation device, and a lower second portion having openings in axial alignment with holes on a plate portion of the fixation device. The jig may be locked relative to the fixation device. The jig assembly further includes one or more of sleeves, drill guides and gauges for facilitating the drilling of appropriate holes into bone both beneath and above the fixation device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates broadly to surgical devices. More particularly, this invention relates to tools for implanting fracture fixation devices.

2. State of the Art

Severe long bone fractures are often treated with plating. In plating, a relatively large incision is made at the location of the fracture, musculature and tendons are displaced from the bone to expose the bone surface, and a bone plate is fixedly attached to one or more pieces of the fractured bone in a manner which, ideally, supports and stabilizes the fracture for healing. Due to the relatively invasive nature of the procedure required to implant the plate, plating is generally reserved for fractures which cannot be treated with a less invasive method of immobilization.

Less complicated fractures are often treated with casting or wires. However, such conservative treatment may not provide the stabilization and support necessary for desirable recovery. Yet, the operative procedure of plating is often too invasive for the relative non-severity of the fracture. Moreover, conventional plating can result in tendon irritation and skin necrosis, and may require extensive periosteal stripping in order to apply the plate on the bone surface. As such, many of the less displaced fractures, and particularly metaphyseal fractures (fractures at the end of the long bones), remain undertreated.

By way of example, a Colles' fracture, which results from compressive forces being placed on the distal radius bone, and which causes backward displacement of the distal fragment and radial deviation of the hand at the wrist, is treated with a dorsal plate when there is a significant degree of displacement. However, a less-displaced Colles' fracture is commonly undertreated due to the hesitancy of physicians to prescribe operative and invasive treatment. If not properly treated, such a fracture results in permanent wrist deformity. It is therefore important to align the fracture and fixate the bones relative to each other so that proper healing may occur.

More recently, minimally invasive fixation devices have become available for treatment of wrist fractures. Particular devices, such as that described in co-owned and co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 10/159,611, filed May 30, 2002, and Ser. No. 10/315,787, filed Dec. 10, 2002, include an intramedullary portion which is secured within or to the cortical bone with cross-fastened screws. In addition, these fixation devices include a plate portion into which a plurality of bone pegs are secured. Pegs of an appropriate length are oriented in relatively oblique angles relative to each other to stabilize the subchondral bone fragments relative to the plate portion.

It is therefore necessary to provide to the surgeon a tool facilitating longitudinally displaced holes drilled through the cortical bone in alignment with the longitudinally displaced screw holes in the intramedullary portion of the fixation device so that the fastening screws may be inserted through the bone and the screw holes. In addition, it is also preferable to provide tools which are adapted to drill holes into the subchondral bone for the pegs in the desired oblique directions. In addition, tool must be provided for selecting pegs of an appropriate length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a jig assembly for assistance in implantation of a fixation device relative to a fractured bone.

It is another object of the invention to provide a jig assembly for a fixation device designed to treat metaphyseal fractures.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a jig assembly which provides proper alignment between longitudinally displaced holes drilled in bone and corresponding openings in an intramedullary portion of the fixation device such that fasteners can be inserted through the holes and openings.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a jig assembly which facilitates drilling of axially aligned holes through peg holes in a plate of a fixation device and through metaphyseal bone.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a jig assembly which properly and easily measures drilled hole depth.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a jig assembly which prevents potential tissue damage by the drill.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a jig assembly which stops the drill at a precise distance relative to a jig so that an implant within the bone below is not damaged, even though the radius bone into which the implant is positioned may have a varying thickness along its length and different thicknesses in different patients.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a depth gauge for a jig assembly which easily and accurately determines the length of pegs which should be used with the fixation device.

In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, a jig assembly for a fixation device is provided.

In order to more easily understand the jig assembly, it is helpful to understand that the jig assembly is adapted for use with an orthopedic implant such as the fixation devices described in detail in U.S. Ser. No. 10/159,611, filed May 30, 2002, and Ser. No. 10/315,787, filed Dec. 10, 2002, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. In brief, such fixation devices include a proximal intramedullary nail portion and a distal supra-metaphyseal plate portion which is horizontally and vertically offset relative to the nail portion by a neck portion. The nail portion includes two or more threaded screw holes, and the plate portion has a low, narrow profile and includes three longitudinally displaced peg holes, each of which is adapted to orient a peg in a different orientation from the others. The plate and/or neck portions also include a threaded locking hole.

With the fixation devices in mind, the jig assembly includes a jig having an elevated first portion in alignment over the screw holes of the intramedullary portion of the fixation device, and a second portion seatable on the plate portion of the fixation device. The first portion includes longitudinally displaced holes or slots, as described further below, to longitudinally align a drill with the screw holes in the intramedullary portion of the fixation device. The second portion includes openings in axial alignment with the peg holes. The jig also includes a hole over the threaded locking hole in the fixation device, and the assembly includes a locking screw adapted to extend through the hole and couple the jig to the fixation device at the threaded locking hole.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the jig includes a plurality of longitudinally displaced holes, a first sleeve adapted to be received in any of the holes, and a second sleeve sized to be received within the first sleeve, but removable therefrom. The second sleeve is diametrically sized to guide a rotary drill to cut the bone cortex, and the first sleeve is diametrically sized to receive the head and body of a cortical screw adapted to engage within the screw holes of the intramedullary portion of the fixation device. The sleeve-in-sleeve structure may be positioned in each of the holes of the first portion of the jig to guide the drill for each of the cortical screw holes.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the jig includes a plurality of longitudinally displaced holes, and slots which provide lateral entrance into each of the holes. A drill may be side loaded into holes via the slots. A bridged-sleeve is optionally provided for use with the holes, and (1) accounts for changing or different thicknesses in the bone (2) more stably guides the drill, and (3) prevents the drill from catching and tearing tissue near the entrance to the drilled cortical bone.

The jig assembly further includes a drill guide having a threaded end which is positionable within the openings in the second portion of the jig and threadably engageable within the peg holes. A single drill guide may be moved from one peg hole to the next to drill the required holes. The drill guide preferably includes a depth gauge for measuring the depth of a drilled hole and determining an appropriate size of bone peg for use with the fixation device.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a jig assembly and fracture fixation system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a locking screw of the jig assembly of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a drill guide of the jig assembly of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section view of the drill guide ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a jig assembly according to the invention coupled to another embodiment of a fracture fixation system;

FIG. 6 is an inverse perspective view of the jig of the jig assembly ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a first side perspective view of a further embodiment of a jig assembly and fracture fixation system according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a second side perspective view of the jig assembly and fracture fixation system shown inFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a guide sleeve according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section view of the guide sleeve ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the jig coupled to an implant, with a bridged sleeve guiding a drill bit into a relatively thick radius bone;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section view of the same elements shown inFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section view similar toFIG. 12 but where the radius bone is relatively thinner;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a drill guide according to the invention, with a view 180° about the drill guide appearing the same;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation of a gauge according to invention;

FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the gauge according to the invention, rotated 90° relative toFIG. 15; and

FIG. 17 is a view similar toFIG. 16 of an alternate embodiment of the gauge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, ajig assembly100 for afracture fixation device10 is shown.

In order to provide context for the features and use of thejig assembly100, it is helpful to first understand the type of fracture fixation devices for which the jig assembly is intended. Similarfracture fixation devices10 are described in detail in U.S. Ser. No. 10/159,611, filed May 30, 2002, and Ser. No. 10/315,787, filed Dec. 10, 2002, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. In brief, thefixation device10, which is slightly modified from the devices described in the incorporated specifications and may include inventive features relative thereto, includes a proximalintramedullary nail portion12 and a distal supra-metaphyseal plate portion14 which is horizontally and vertically offset relative to the nail portion by aneck portion16. Theneck portion16 may include anotch18 to facilitate coupling of thejig assembly100, as described in more detail below. Thenail portion12 includes a relativelyrigid section20 provided with two or more threaded screw holes22,24 forcortical screws26,28, a taperedsection30, and a relatively stiff, but lessrigid end section32 formed with acurve34 to facilitate entry into the medullary canal of a bone, e.g., the radius bone. Theplate portion14 has a low, narrow profile, preferably with a convexupper surface36 and aconcave undersurface38, and includes three longitudinally displaced peg holes40,42,44, each of which is adapted to orient a peg, e.g., peg46, in a different orientation from the others. The plate and/orneck portions14,16 also include a threadedlocking hole48.

With thefixation device10 in mind, thejig assembly100 includes ajig102 having an elevatedfirst portion104 in alignment over therigid portion20 of theintramedullary nail portion12 of thefixation device10, and asecond portion106 having a concavelower surface108 which is stably seatable on the upperconvex surface36 of theplate portion14 of thefixation device10. Thefirst portion104 includes longitudinally displaced guide holes110,112 aligned with the screw holes22,24 of thefixation device10. Thesecond portion106 includesopenings114,116 (and another not shown) which provide access to pegholes40,42,44. Thejig102 also includes a hole118 in alignment with the threadedlocking hole48 of thefixation device10.

A lockingscrew120 extends through the hole118 and couples thejig102 to thefixation device10. More particularly, referring toFIG. 2, the lockingscrew120 includes ashaft122 having a threaded end124 sized to engage the lockinghole48 and ahandle126 at an opposite end thereof for manually rotating the locking screw into engagement. The lockingscrew120 preferably also includes a hex orsquare driver opening128 for mechanically rotating the lockingscrew120 to lock thejig102 relative to thefixation device10.

Referring back toFIG. 1, thejig assembly100 further includes asleeved drill guide130 comprising an outerfirst sleeve132 adapted to be received in any of guide theholes110,112, and an innersecond sleeve134 sized to be received within thefirst sleeve132, but removable therefrom. Thesecond sleeve134 includes ahandle136 for manual insertion and removal into the guide holes110,112, and abore137 diametrically sized to guide a rotary drill to cut the bone cortex. The first sleeve includes ahandle138 for manual insertion into and removal from the second sleeve, and abore140 diametrically sized to receive the head and body of thecortical screws26,28 which are adapted to engage within the screw holes22,24 of the intramedullary portion of thefixation device10.

Referring toFIGS. 1,3 and4, thejig assembly100 further includes adrill guide150 having a threadedend152 which is positionable within theopenings114,116 in thesecond portion106 of thejig102 and threadably engageable within the peg holes40,42,44. Thedrill guide150 preferably includes a steppedbore154 having a larger diameterupper portion156 and a smaller diameterlower portion158. Thelower portion158 accommodates a drill bit appropriately sized for drilling a hole into bone for apeg46, while theupper portion156 accommodates a movable scale of a prior art depth gauge (not shown) for measuring the depth of a drilled hole and determining the location and depth of the drilled hole relative to particular anatomical structure. Thedrill guide150 may be moved from one peg hole to the next to drill the required holes.

Turning now toFIG. 5, a second embodiment of ajig assembly200 is shown. An upperfirst portion204 of thejig202 of theassembly200 includes a plurality of longitudinally displacedcircular holes210,212,214, andslots216,218,220 which provide lateral entrance into each of the holes. Theslots216,218,220 are preferably non-radial, and more preferably oriented parallel to both a radius and a tangent of the respective holes. Adrill bit260 may be side loaded into theholes210,212,214 via theslots216,218,220, without the use of a sleeve. The handle alone guides the bit, and the location of the slots relative to the holes operates to facilitate retention of the drill bit when the bit is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. This construction speeds use of the jig, as thedrill bit260 may be rapidly moved into and out ofholes210,212,214. After the holes are drilled into the bone, a driver (not shown) for thescrews26,28 (FIG. 1) likewise can be inserted into the210,212,214, with the screws manually positioned beneath thejig202 and engaged by the driver.

Referring toFIG. 6, in thelower portion206 of thejig202, two opposite side openings (recesses)214,215 are provided which provide access to pegholes40,42 (seeFIG. 1) in thefixation device10atherebeneath, and a relatively distal bounded opening (hole)216 is provided for access to a distal peg hole44 (also inFIG. 1). The side openings are preferably symmetrical so that thejig202 may be used with both left and righthand fixation devices10a, as the left and right hand models will have oppositely directed pegs in corresponding peg holes40,42. InFIG. 5, drill guides150 are shown coupled in each of the peg holes, though a single drill guide may be used and moved between the peg holes as holes are drilled in alignment with each. Ahole208 is also provided for receiving a lockingscrew120 to couple thejig202 to thefixation device10a.Fixation device10aand10 (FIG. 1) are substantially the same with the exception thatdevice10aincludes three cortical screw holes22a,24a,25a, anddevice10 includes only twosuch holes22,24.

Turning now toFIGS. 7 and 8, according to another embodiment of the invention, thejig202 is shown with a bridged-drill sleeve300 extending over thedrill bit260, and analternate drill guide302 provided with anovel depth gauge304. Referring specifically toFIGS. 9 and 10, the bridged-drill sleeve300 includes atube310 defining apassage311, and anupper bearing312 having abore313 coaxial with thepassage311. Abridge314, laterally displaced from the axes of thetube310 and thebearing312, couples thetube310 and bearing312 in a spaced apart relationship.

Referring now toFIGS. 9 through 12, thebore313 of thebearing312 has a relatively large first inner diameter sized to receive aproximal shoulder portion262 of thedrill bit260. Thepassage311 has a second inner diameter sized to stably receive and guide a relatively smallerdistal portion263 of thedrill bit260.

Theshoulder portion262 of thebit260 is too large to fit through thecircular holes210,212,214 in the upperfirst portion204 of thejig202, and thus when thebit260 is advanced through the jig, theshoulder portion262 will abut the top surface of thefirst portion204 of thejig202 and stop thedrill tip264 at a predetermined distance relative to thejig202, regardless of the thickness of theradius bone400.

Thebridge314 is sized to be at least partially received within aslot216,218,220 of the jig202 (seeFIG. 8) and thetube310 is sized to be received within ahole210,212,214. In order to guide thebit260 to drill through different thicknesses of the radius bone (either a varying thickness of one bone beneath theholes210,212,214 or in radius bones of various patients), thetube310 andbridge314 may slide up and down through a respective hole and slot relative to the jig. Based upon the thickness of theradius bone400 on which thebottom318 oftube310 is positioned, thetop end316 of thetube310 andbridge314 will be located at a variable vertical location relative to thejig202 while still operating to stably guide thedrill bit260 toward ahole22a,24a,25ain theimplant10a. For example, compare the location of thetop end316 andbottom end318 of thetube310 inFIGS. 11 and 12, where theimplant10ais positioned within aradius bone400 having a relatively thicker cortex, to the location of thetop end316 andbottom end318 of thetube310 inFIG. 13 where theimplant10ais positioned within aradius bone400ahaving a relatively thinner cortex. Thus, thejig202 with bridgedsleeve300 stably guides the drill bit toward screw holes in an implant regardless of the thickness of the radius bone.

The sleeve also has other advantages. The relatively massive size of thebearing312 improves stability of the guide. The placement of a portion of thebridge314 within aslot216,218,220 of thejig202 prevents theguide300 from rotating relative to the jig when thedrill bit260 is rotated. Further, thebottom end318 of thetube310 when positioned on theradius bone400 prevents thedrill tip264 from catching and tearing non-bone tissue near the entrance to the drilled cortical bone.

Referring toFIG. 14, thedrill guide302 includes a threadedend320 for threaded engagement with a peg hole of thefixation device10a, and a relativelyconstant diameter bore322. Awindow324, open to thebore322, is defined on each of two diametrically opposite sides of thedrill guide302.Graduated indicia326 corresponding to a scale is provided along the sides of thewindows324. In a preferred embodiment, theindicia326 correspond to millimeters and more particularly provide graduated indications of a depth of 14 mm to 30 mm, as measured relative to thetip334 of a gauge304 (FIGS. 15 and 16).

Referring toFIGS. 15 and 16, thegauge304 includes ahandle portion326, ashaft328 insertable through thebore322 and having areference mark330 thereon, and anend portion332. Thereference mark330 is clearly identifiable and preferably engraved or etched on theshaft328, though it may also be applied or provided through other means such as, e.g., paint, oxidation, enamel, or a raised ridge or other mark.

Theend portion332 of the gauge is slightly angled relative to the remainder of theshaft328, e.g., by approximately 3° to 6°, and most preferably 4.3°. Theend portion332 is spring-like in that if it is radially deformed from its pre-set angle relative to theshaft328 it will return to the pre-set angle once the deformation force is removed. Theend portion332 includes arounded tip334 which ensures that the gauge rides smoothly in and out of drilled bone and bore322 of the drill guide, and an angledupper catch336, preferably angled at approximately 105° relative to a longitudinal axis through theend portion332. The angle of the upper catch allows a user to retrieve the gauge without chipping bone, which may occur with a prior art gauge having a right-angle ledge. Theend portion332 preferably also slightly tapers in a lateral direction. Where the gauge is intended for use in conjunction with fracture fixation implants designed for the distal radius, theend portion332 preferably has a length between approximately 10 mm and approximately 25 mm, and more preferably approximately 15 to 18 mm, and the diameter of the end portion is preferably less than approximately 3 mm, and most preferably approximately 1.5 mm. Other dimensions may be provided where the gauge is used in conjunction with orthopedic implants intended for other bone fractures.

When thedrill guide302 is coupled to a fixation device at a peg hole, the depth of a hole drilled therethrough may be measured by removing the drill and inserting thegauge304. Theend portion332 andshaft328 of thegauge304 are fed through thebore322 such that theend portion332 is resiliently radially inwardly bent against the preformed angle by the relatively narrow diameter of the bore. Once therounded tip334 of the drill guide exits the far end of the drilled hole, theend portion332 springs back such that theledge336 catches on the far cortex of the bone. The depth of the hole (or size or length of an appropriate size bone peg) is measured (or otherwise determined) by the location of thereference mark330, which is viewed through thewindow324, relative to theindicia326 on thedrill guide302. The measurement determines the size of the peg which will be inserted into the peg hole. After measurement, thegauge304 is withdrawn from thedrill guide302. During withdrawal, the obliquely angled catch easily releases from the bone and therounded tip334 advantageously does not drag or scrape through the drilled hole. The process is repeated for each bone peg hole.

Referring toFIG. 17, additionally or alternatively, thegauge304amay be provided with graduatedindicia326acorresponding to a scale (and may or may not include the reference mark330a) so as to also be used with a conventional drill guide which does not have a window while still providing the advantages ofgauge304. In such case, the measurement of the drilled hole is read by referencing the top of the conventional drill guide against the scale provided by theindicia326.

There have been described and illustrated herein embodiments of a jig assembly for implantation of a fixation device. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while particular dimensions and angles have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other dimensions may be used as well. In addition, elements of one embodiment may be combined with elements of another embodiment. For example, and not by way of limitation, thedrill guide302 may be used in place ofdrill guide150 in all embodiments. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.

Claims (22)

1. A jig assembly for use in implantation of an orthopedic implant, comprising:

a) a jig including a first portion provided with a plurality of longitudinally displaced holes, and a second portion provided with a plurality of openings, and a plurality of lateral slots extending into said longitudinally displaced holes through which a drill bit can be laterally entered into said holes, said second portion being vertically displaced relative to said first portion;

b) a drill guide receivable within each of said plurality of openings of said second portion of said jig;

c) gauge means for measuring a depth of a hole drilled into bone through said drill guide; and

d) locking means for locking said jig relative to an orthopedic implant.

2. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:

said slots are non-radially oriented relative to said holes.

3. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:

when said locking means locks said jig relative to the orthopedic implant, said first portion of said jig extends parallel to a portion of the implant extending beneath said first portion.

4. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:

said plurality of openings in said second portion are longitudinally displaced.

5. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:

said plurality of openings in said second portion includes two laterally displaced recesses.

6. A jig assembly according toclaim 5, wherein:

said plurality of openings in said second portion includes a bounded opening.

7. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:

said second portion of said jig includes a concave undersurface.

8. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:

said gauge means measures said depth of said hole relative to an anatomical structure.

9. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:

said drill guide includes a bore, a window in a side of said drill guide open to said bore, and graduated indicia provided along at least one side of said window, and said gauge means includes a shaft insertable into said bore and provided with a reference mark thereon.

10. A jig assembly according toclaim 9, wherein:

said shaft has an end portion angled relative to an adjacent portion thereof, and said end portion includes a rounded tip having an upper catch, wherein said end portion may be resiliently bent relative to said adjacent portion.

11. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, further comprising:

f) a drill sleeve including a tube defining a longitudinal passage, an upper bearing having a bore coaxial with said passage, and a bridge portion laterally displaced from the axes of said tube and said bearing which couples said tube and said bearing in a spaced apart relationship.

12. A jig assembly according toclaim 11, wherein:

said passage has a smaller diameter than said bore.

13. A jig assembly according toclaim 12, wherein:

said bridge portion is sized to be slidably moved within each of said slots.

14. A jig assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:

said drill guide is threadably engageable in each of said plurality of openings of said second portion of said jig.

15. A jig assembly for use during implantation of an orthopedic implant at least partially into a medullary canal of cortical bone, comprising:

a) a rigid member removably couplable relative to the implant, said rigid member provided with an opening and an upper surface;

b) a guide longitudinally movable within said opening relative to said rigid member, said guide including a distal tubular portion having a distal end and a length which does not extend higher than said upper surface of said rigid member when said distal end is positioned on the cortical bone, and a proximal tubular portion coaxial with said distal tubular portion, said distal and proximal tubular portions being in a spaced apart relationship; and

c) a drill bit including a proximal portion and a relatively distal portion, said distal portion having a smaller diameter than a diameter of said proximal portion;

wherein said diameter of said distal portion is sized to fit through said opening and said guide, and said diameter of said proximal portion is sized to function as a stop against said upper surface of said rigid member.

16. A jig assembly according toclaim 15, wherein:

said guide is slidably movable relative to said rigid member.

17. A jig assembly according toclaim 15, wherein:

said guide further includes a bridge portion which rigidly couples said proximal and distal tubular portions of said guide in said spaced apart relationship, said bridge portion being laterally offset relative to a longitudinal axis extending through said proximal and distal tubular portions.

18. A jig assembly according toclaim 15, wherein:

said proximal tubular portion has an inner diameter sized to receive said proximal and distal portions of said drill bit, and said distal tubular portion has an inner diameter which is larger in diameter than said distal portion of said drill bit but smaller in diameter than said proximal portion of said drill bit.

19. A jig assembly according toclaim 15, wherein:

said proximal tubular portion of said guide is substantially more massive than said distal tubular portion of said guide.

20. A jig assembly according toclaim 15, further comprising:

means for preventing said guide from rotating relative to said rigid member when said drill bit is rotated.

21. An orthopedic implant system, comprising:

a) an orthopedic implant including an intramedullary portion and a plate portion longitudinally and vertically offset relative to said intramedullary portion;

b) a jig including a first portion provided with a plurality of longitudinally displaced holes and a second portion provided with a plurality of openings, said second portion being vertically displaced relative to said first portion; and

c) means for coupling said jig to said implant;

wherein when said jig is coupled to said implant, said second portion of said jig is seated on said plate portion of said implant and said first portion of said jig is parallel to but vertically offset from said intramedullary portion of said implant;

wherein said jig facilitates drilling holes into bone above said intramedullary portion and beneath said plate portion.

22. A system according toclaim 21, wherein:

said plate portion has a convex surface and said second portion has a concave surface, said convex and concave surfaces having corresponding curvatures.

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